Punjab has become the first state in the country with the signing of MoU with the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND) who will support Punjab Health Department by providing Rapid test kits for screening of high risk patients like HIV patients, IVDU (Intravenous Drug Users) patients and patients of IVDU coming to OST centres for hepatitis C. The MoU was signed today in the presence of Mr. Brahm Mohindra, Health Minister on the occasion of World Hepatitis Day.Delivering key note address at the state level function organised at DHS office, Punjab to celebrate World Hepatitis Day, Mr. Brahm Mohindra said that “With support from WHO, we are releasing the action plan for injection safety programme, Punjab is also the first State in the country where injection safety programme is being implemented in collaboration with WHO”. The Minister extended his gratitude towards WHO team for their valuable technical inputs. He said that Health Department Punjab will be introducing RUPs (Reuse Prevention Syringes) in the State so that blood borne infections cannot be spread from one patient to another. He said now onwards WHO and Health Department, Punjab together will work in sensitizing general public regarding safe injections.The Minister said that FIND will also provide 4 Gene Xpert machines which will be installed at Sangrur, Bathinda, Tarn Taran and Hoshiarpur for free testing of viral load among these high risk group patients.
Remaining districts will be connected to these 4 centres for viral load testing. He said that FIND will fund the staff for running these machines.Highlighting the need to celebrate World Hepatitis day, Mr. Mohindra said that health days are fixed in order to stress upon the disease and the measures we undertake for its prevention and control. He said that July 28 is World Hepatitis Day and theme of the day is to Eliminate Hepatitis. The Minister said that Punjab model of management of Hepatitis C is unique and WHO can advocate about our efforts so that a policy or programme at National Level be made to address this disease. He also thanked Dr. Prakin Suchaxaya Deputy WHO Representative to India and WHO team for extending the support to Punjab in its effort of prevention and control of hepatitis C.Mr. Brahm Mohindra further said that Cliton Health Access Iniititative (CHAI) and ECHO have also supported us well in disseminating the knowledge about Hepatitis C and analyzing the situation by developing tools.He said that, He has instructed Health and Medical Education & research Department to prepare a study design with support of PGI to know the exact risk factors of the spread of hepatitis C so that we can plug those issues in order to bring down the burden of this disease.He said that the staff in Government Medical Colleges and Districts has been able to put more than 32000 patients of hepatitis C on treatment till yesterday and the cure rate among these cases of Hepatitis C is approximately 93%, which is one of the best currently. He said that the medicines of hepatitis C which have a market price of Rs 35000-50000 for full treatment are being provided free of cost to patients of hepatitis C in state hospitals.